Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-11-26

LOCAL IMPRovEMEN rs.
Bonds for an Artesian Well and a
City Hail.
At Monday evenings meeting of the
city council a resolution was passed by
unanimous vote to submit to the legal
voters Of the city the question Of issuing
twcnty.year bonds IN the sum Of sl2,-
600 for tho purpose Of making local im-
provements. The Improvements con-
templated in the call are an artesian
we'll and the necessary piping to distrib-
ute the water through the principal
thoroughfares; also the building Of q
city hall.
Correspondence with various concerns
engaged in sinking artesian wells reveals
to the council the fact that good artesian
water has been obtained in numerous
places throughout the territory; that in
some instances the quality Of the water
is not all that could be desired, but in
all instances a good flow of water has
been secured; that the majority of the
wells sunk in Dakota furnish good drink.
ing water, and all of them are sufficient
iy productive and have ample force to
fulfill tho ordinary, every day wants Of
the communities which have had the
enterprise to put them in. One North
Dakota city has an artesian we'll which
supplies vast quantities Of pure, soft
water. The city has been p,ped, hy.
drants have been put IN and the dan
gers Of fire have been practically re-
duccd to the minimum. The imme.
diate effect has been Il decided rcduc-
ton of insurance rates; the ultimate
effect will be an increase in population
by reason Of the superior advantages
which always result from an abundant
supply Of good water. Similar advan.
tages in Devils Lake would be worth ten
fold their cost.
Tho joint proposition to build city
hall is equally meritorious. Three years
ago tho city purchased fire apparatus,
and fire department was organized.
The glamor Of newness soon wore away
and now it is next to an impossibility
to get the members of the department
together to attend to the business OF the
department. True. some good work
has been done ut fires and much prop
erty has been saved, vet there is u lack
of interest. The fire apparatus is
neglected, and the organization of the
companies is not sustained. The reason
is plain. There Is no place Cor the fire.
men to meet. II they gather at the
present engine house they must stand
up in close quarters and breathe in the
foul air. The machinery is cramped
up and there is II great lack Of the con
veniences and comforts which natur-
ally draw men together. The city
council is compelled to meet in Dor.
rowcd quarters. The city records must
be slowed away in II private safe or be
left prey to fire and burglars. 1t is
proposed to build II twostory structure
with ~ comfortable assembly room for
the fire department and the proper
place for the proper care OF the fire ap-
paratus. The project also embraces a
public hall with neat stage where
theatrical companies aud concert troops
may give performances; where dances
may he held, and where gatherings OF
every nature may take place. Such q
hall will be source Of revenue to the
city in the matter Of rents and the
structure credit to our people. II is
proposed to re.oreanzc the fire depart
ment and put it on more active basis
A new hose cart and some additional
hose are to be purchased and another
hose company organized.
1.-THE bonds are voted the city hal
will not be begun until the early spring
but the artcsian we'll will be com mencec
as soon as possible. It is believed tho
bonds can be placed at per cent, but
III any case the interest on them will moi
materially increase the rate Of taxatio,,
az the city is growing fast and property
increasing in value. With this $4,000
added to the present Indebtedness o
5000, the city will owe $l7, ,O00-an in
significant sum compared with the ben
efts which will be derived.
The present council is composed o
first-class business men who have fully
considered every feature of the case
and are unanimous in their recommen
dation that the above mentioned i'm
provements be made.
{. Christmas IN Canada.
Arc you going to spend Christmas il
Canada. If so take advantage Of cxcur
sions to Toronto and Montreal OF
Wednesday Nov. 10, and Wednesda
Dec. eth.
Tickets will be good for forty days ant
will be sold at less than one single far
for the round trip.
between Minneapolis, st. Paul anu Chi
, cayo.
!, For further particulars ask tho neares
agent Of the st. p. NJ. Il NJ. Ry.
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